Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
June 19, 2022

A Good Minister of Jesus Christ
by Bryan Gibson
“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ…” (1 Timothy 4:6). Using the surrounding verses, specifically verses 1-16, let’s identify some characteristics of a good minister (servant) of Jesus Christ.
A good minister will NOT “depart from the faith” (4:1); he will not give heed to any teaching that is not according to Christ, including the things specifically mentioned in this text (4:1-3, 7).
And here’s why he will not depart from the faith. A good minister will be “entirely” or “wholly” dedicated to his studies (4:13, 15); he will be “nourished in the words of faith” (4:6); and he will “carefully” follow everything he has learned from the teaching of Christ (4:6).
A good minister will only teach “these things” (4:6, 11)—things he has learned from the “words of faith,” or the teachings of Christ. He says only those things which are “faithful…and worthy of all acceptance” (4:9).
A good minister will keep a tender conscience, not one that’s been “seared with a hot iron” (4:2). This tender conscience will keep him from ever “speaking lies in hypocrisy” (4:2), from ever teaching or practicing anything that would violate or trouble his conscience. If he has even the slightest doubt concerning what he’s about to teach, he won’t dare teach it, at least not until he determines for sure if it’s the truth or not.
A good minister will be careful, not just about his teaching, but also about his life:
“Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (4:7-8).
“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (4:12).
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching…” (4:16, NAS).
A good minister doesn’t get lazy; he will continue to get better at everything he does, to the point that his “progress may be evident to all” (4:15).
A good minister has his “hope set on the living God” (ESV), and so he is willing to “both labor and suffer reproach” (4:10). He won’t ever change his message just to make things easier on himself.
A good minister is motivated by the hope of his own salvation and the salvation of others. “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16, ESV).
Note: All quotations from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
All Truth
by Bryan Gibson
According to the New Testament, Christians in the first century could believe the truth, know the truth, and walk in the truth (1 Timothy 4:3; 1 John 2:21; 3 John 1:3-4). It doesn’t sound like they were missing anything only made available to future generations. The truth is, they were given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Epaphras even prayed for his brethren that they “may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Why pray that if all of His will had not been revealed? Admittedly, it was not until near the end of the first century that the New Testament was completely written, but they at least had the will of God in oral form. Was there any difference between what the apostles and prophets preached by inspiration and what they wrote by inspiration?

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.